The whopping $145,000 paid for 211 kilograms of bluefin tuna at the first Tuna auction of 2022 in Tokyo, may have no immediate impact on M Muthu Vel in Puducherry, or his bank account. But, he uses the news to inspire fishermen in his area to land good quality tuna. “See: It can fetch record prices,” he says.
Since 2018, fisherman-turned-entrepreneur Muthu Vel has been training a group of around 150 fisherfolk to handle the fish, prized by Japanese chefs, to improve the quality of what is brought to shore. “The quality of Tuna which lands in India is poor. That’s because our fishermen are not trained in handling the fish, their small boats are ill equipped and do not have the wherewithal to keep the catch fresh,” says Abdus Samad, Principal Scientist, CMFRI in Kochi.
In 2015, Muthu Vel opened Aurofish, in Muthiyalpet, Puducherry, along with his wife Anitha, which offers fresh seafood. He introduced Saku Block, the premium tuna used for Sushi, in November 2021 and was feted for this by the Ministry of Fisheries, Government of India, in the Best Innovation/ Infusion Technology category. Muthu Vel has since joined online auctions to get the best price, (₹1,250 for 500 gm) for his quality Saku Block.
